Factors That Increase the Risk of Back Pain and Injury

Topic Overview

The following factors may increase your risk for back pain.

Factors you cannot control

Growing older
Being a man
Being pregnant. A woman's back is significantly stressed by carrying a baby.
Having a family history of back pain
Having a problem with your spine that has been present since birth (congenital)
Having a degenerative disease of the spine, such as osteoporosis or arthritis

Factors you can control

Not exercising regularly
Sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, bending or twisting frequently, heavy physical exertion, repetitive motions, and exposure to constant vibration, such as from driving
Smoking. A smoker is twice as likely to have low back pain than a nonsmoker.
Being overweight (weighing more than 20% over your ideal body weight)
Being under a lot of stress
Having a mental health problem, such as depression or severe anxiety
Having an illness or disease that causes chronic coughing

Slumping or slouching alone may not cause low back pain. But after the back has been strained or injured, bad posture can make pain worse. "Good posture" generally means your ears, shoulders, and hips are in a straight line. If this posture causes pain, you may have another condition such as a problem with a disc or bones in your back.

Activities that increase your risk

Running or jogging
Skiing and snowboarding
Sledding, snowmobiling, or tobogganing
Sports that require forceful twisting, such as gymnastics and wrestling
Contact sports, such as football or rugby
Work-related activities that require repeated lifting, bending, or twisting of the back

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